Bowling alley



! May 1931- R. A. WILLIAMS 1,806,274

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Dec. 29, 1928 a Sheets-Sheet 1 May 19, 1931.

R. A. WILLIAMS BOWLING VALLEY 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed De'c. 29, 1928 May 19, 1931.

Filed De c. 29 1928 R. A. WILLIAMS BOWLING ALLEY 8 Sheets-Sheet (5 11 .5.

R. A. WILLIAMS BOWLING ALLEY May 19, 1931.

Filed Dec. 29. 1928 heats-Sheet 4 66 [:2 as as 6& f I 9 W7. a is 6 iolgf/dg I 11% ilo:/ I i H :1 I %61 w i i new flagmondimlllkum,

May 19, 1931.

Filed Dec. 29, 1928 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 fiwentor: flaymondiflillzizms,

a My k $:V M M W V w 5 1m my l m M 1 61W l J J W. 1 l HHMHWT WM a y 19,1931; R. A. WILLIAMS 1,806,274

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Dec. 29, 1928 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 J L A \\\\\N .Ewenlor flaymondihdllkww M 1931- R. A. WILLIAMS 1,306,274

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Dec. 29. 1928 8 SheetsrSheet 7 zf' f/ 7 l fizgl g z Z; i" 56 119.26. 129

if a 2 J5 5 6 :5 a 43 m EH1 36 I r 10 6 10 l 1' I e 2e 27 Inventor l I I E 'T 1 I I l I l May 19, 1931. R. A. WILLIAMS 1,806,274

' BOWLING ALLEY Filed Dec. 29. 19 28 a Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BowLme ALLEY Application filed December 29, 1928. Serial No. 329,146.

This invention relates to bowling alleys and has for its object the production means for collecting the used pins and balls,

returning the balls to the head of the alley and automatically setting the pins upon the other end of said alley.

This object is attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the inven-' tion, one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawings, this form having been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a plan ofmechanism for setting pins on a bowling alley and embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section of same on line 2, 2,on Fig. 1 with portions thereof shown in elevation.

Figure 3 represents a plan of the actuatin mechanism at the head of the alley.

Figure 4 represents a side elevation of the same.

. V Figure 5 represents a vertical transverse section on line 5, 5, onFig. 1.

Figure 6 represents a vertical transverse section on line 6, 6, on Fig. 1.

Figure 7 represents a section on line-7, 7 on Fig. 6.

Figure 8 represents a vertical transverse section on line 8, 8 on Fig. 1.

Figure 9 represents a vertical section on line 9, 9, on Fig. 2.

Fi re 10 represents a horizontal section on line- 10, 10, on Fig. 2. V

Figure 11 represents a vertical section on line 11, 11, on ig. 10. v

Figure 12 represents a section on line 12, 12, on Fig. 2.

Figure 13 represents a section on line 13,

'13 onFig. 10.

Figure 14 represents a section on line 14,

f 14 on Figs; 2 and 15.

Figure 15 represents a section on line 15, 15 on Fig. 14.

Figure 16 represents a section on'line 16, 16, on Fig. 15.

Figure 17 represents an end elevation of the pin magazine. A

Figure 18 represents an elevation of the pin ushing lever.

Figure 19 represents a section on line 19, 19 on Fig. 2.

Figure 20 represents an elevation of the eccentric for actuating the pin pushing lever.

Figure 21 represents a plan of one of the pin conduits and showing the gate at the lower end thereof.

Figure 22 represents a section thereof on line 22, 22, on Fig. 21.

Figure 23 represents an elevation of one of the pin tipping devices in position to receive a pin. 7

Figure 24 represents a section on line 24,

'24 on Fig. 23.

igure 25 represents an elevation of said in tlpping device in position after the pin,

as been discharged therefrom.

Figure 26 represents a section of same on line 26, 26, on ig. 25, and

Figure 27 represents a detail of construction to, be hereinafter referred to.

Similar characters indicate like arts throughout the several figures of the rawii the drawings, 10 is a bowling alley having gutters 11 at the sides thereof.

At the rear of the alley is a pit 12 having its sides inclined downwardly and inwardly toward a central opening 13.

At the rear of the pit 12 is an inclined back stop 12w adapted'to deflect downwardly into the pit all balls and pins striking the front face of said back stop.

Within this opening 13 is a revoluble disk 14, said disk being mounted on a shaft 15 extendin downwardly therefrom and rotated by mec anism to be hereinafter, described.

The disk 14 is inclined downwardly toward the head of the alley.

At one side of the disk and tangential thereto is a pin chamber 16 adapted to receive a plurality of pins one above the other.

Above the chamber 16 is an inclined shelf 16wadapted to direct spent balls and pins irito the pit 12 and onto the revoluble disk As the, disk 14 rotates any upset pins which are delivered thereto'will be carried towardthe edges thereof by centrifugal action and as they reach the entrance to the chamber 16 some of these pins will be moved endwise into said chamber.

After the receptacle is full or the pins fail to approach the chamber 16 endwise, they will move over the-prong 17 and return into the pit and be carried around again or.

' the disk-14 and more pinswill enter the chamber.

At the lower end of the disk 14 is a discharge opening 18 through which'the spent balls rolling down the inclined surface of the disk 14 will enter and pass down an inclined chute '19 to an elevating mechanism 20 of any usual construction.

This elevatingv mechanism will deliver the balls to an inclined trough 21 down which they are adapted to rollto the head of the i alley to be used again.

The chamber 16 communicatesat the bot tom with an opening near one end of a pin conduit 22. I

Positioned in the lower end of the pin conduit 22 is a plunger 23 adapted to be reciprocated by mechanism to be hereinafter .described,- said plunger in its reciprocation being adapted to move the lower pm within the chamber 16 into the pin conduit 22.

On'the return movement of the Inn er 23 the next pin in the chamber 16 1s a apted to drop down into the conduit 22 in the path of sai plunger 23.

I The feed end of the lunger 23 has an inglined-surface 24 whic coacts with a latch The latch 25 normally prevents a pin after having entered the in conduit 22 from returning into the cham er 16.

The latch 25 is retained in the position shown in Fig. 12 by means of the spring 25w, which spring will permit a in to be force the conduit 22. i

The upper end of the pin conduit 22 extends into a magazine 26, this magazine by plunger 23 into being inclined.

The interior chamber of this magazine 26 has a length adapted to receive eleven pins side by side. I p

When a pin has been discharged endwise from the upper end of the pin conduit 22 into'the right hand end of said magazine ushing member 21 contacts with the side t ereof and will push the .pin sidewise further into the magazine 26 and at the 'eld sufliciently to magazine will come into contact with a reciprocable member '29 forming part of a tripping mechanism which when actuated will permit the operation of other mechanism to cause the gate 28 to be opened and permit the simultaneous discharge of ten of thel lpiins within the magazine 26. i

s tripping mechanism and gate opening mechanism will be described hereinafter. I

. The pins in the magazine will'move downwardly therefrom .into tubes 30, portions of which near their upper ends are cut away as indicated at 31, forming semi-cylindrical troughs.

Each

thereto and adapted to be moved upwardly to uncover the lower ends of the tubes30 when it is desired to release the pins therefrom.

The magazine 26 is su ported by means of a framework 33 exten ng upwardly from the alley.

This framework 33 has guide members 34 thereon in which reciprocate two rods 35 having secured to their lower ends a triangular plate 36.

The top of the rods 35 are connected by.

' l of these tubes 30 is ,provided at its lower end with a weighted gate 32 pivoted a bar 37 to which is. secured one end of a 1 chain or cable 37m passing over two pulleys 38 one larger than the other, with its opposite end secured to the larger pulley.

The lar er pulley 38 is secured to an oscillating aft 39 having a lever 40 secured to the outer end thereo This lever 40 has connected thereto a cable 3800 which passes over and under pulleys 39:1: and has its opposite endsecured to a lever 40% at the head of the alley 10.

. By means of the lever 40a: the plate 36' may be raised to its highest position and the lever locked by the projection 41 on the segment 42. 4

The plate 36 has ten openings therethrough in the' exact position that the pins should be set upon the alley.

I Extending upwardly from the plate 36 and registering with these ten holes are ten cylindrical pockets 43, the upper ends of which are cut away as indicated at 4A 'leavin the upperportions ofthe pockets semicy 'ndrical. I I I Pivoted to thelower end of each pocket -with the lower ends of the tubes and receive the pins as they are discharged there: from when the gates 32 are opened.

When the pins rest upon the inclined members 45 one end of each pin abuts the opposite wall of the pocket 43 and all of the pins are thus retained temporarily in I *--.-.-'-l he we1ghts 51 are positioned a shortan inclined position.

ath the members 45 and contactin therewith is a spider 46 which 1s adapted to be raised and loweredwith the plate 36 and,

the rods 35.

' The spider 46 normally rests on the plate 36 but has tubular members 47 surrounding the rods 35, these tubular members 47 hav ing projections 48 at the top thereof adapted to come into contact with the'fixed steps 49 to limit the downward movement of said spider 46 while the plate 36' continues tomove downwardly to a plane adjacent the top of the alley.

When the plate 36 is moving downwardly:

the spider 46 will move downwardly therewith until the projections 48 come into contact with the stop members 49 when further downward movement of the spider will be prevented.

As the pockets 43 continue to move downwardly with the plate 36 and the members 45 are in contact with portions of the spider 46 which has already come to a rest, these members 45 will be moved about their pivots to bring the semi-cylindrical portions thereof into a vertical position.

When the members 45 have been moved about their pivots as just described all the.

pins within the pockets 43 will have been tilted into a vertical position and then may dro through the openings in the palate 36 wit their ower ends resting upon t e .top of the alley in their required positions.

. When the plate 36 again movesupwardly the pins willbe left properly set upon the alley and the members 45 will return by their own weight to their inclined positions.

When the plate 36 reaches its upper po .sition it will remainin this position until another pin setting is required and then the gates at the lower end of the conduits 3O will be opened again to allow another set of pins to move downwardly upon the members 45 preparatory to another setting.

The gates 32 are normally closed by weights 51 on the lower ends thereof and each gate is provided with a lateral projection 52 in the path of a pin 53 extending upwardly from. one of the inclined'members 45.

so that portions of the lower When the plate 36 is raised with the mem-' bers 45 thereon, the pins 53 will come into contact with the pro ections 52 and simultaneously open all of the gates 32 thereby permitting the delivery of the lowest pin in each tube 30 to be deposited upon a member The tubes 30 have a reserve supply of pins therein after each delivery so that whenever the lever 40w is actuated to raise the plate 36 all of the pockets 43, 45, will recelve a supply of pins preparatory to a new pin setting.

distance from the lower ends of the tubs 3O ins in said tubes extend beyond the ends 0 said tubes. After the gates 32 have been opened and ,these lower pins deposited on the members -45,' the plate may be moved downwardly and during this downward movement the weights 51 will close 'the gates 32 quickly before another set of pins can be discharged from the tubes 30, the downward movement of the pins being arrested by these weights 51 when returned to their normal position as shown in Fig. 22.

At the bottom of the gutters 11, 11, are

endless belts 55, 55, which carry into the pt 12 any upset pins which may roll into said gutters.

These belts 55 move over pulleys 56 on The bar 64 is mounted in bearings 65 andadapted to be reciprocated by suitable means located at the head of the alley.

The arm 60 has substantially a length equal to thewidth of thealley.

By actuating the bar 64 and oscillating the shaftfil, this arm 60 may be moved across the alley so as to remove all deadwood from the alley.

It often happens, however, that pins will land considerably in advance of thepin spots "and toclear all such pins from the alley is quite essential.

To accomplish this the arm 60 has pivoted to its free end an extension 66, the pivot consisting of a spring hinge 67, the spring of which has suflieient tension to retain the extension 66in alinement with the arm 60 even when comingin contact with the deadwood .on the alley.

When the arm 60 is moved about the axis of its pivot 61 the outer end of the extension 66 will come into contact with the opposite side board 68 and cause said extension to be moved about its pivot 67 so as to permit the arm 60 to assume a position across the alley perpendicular to the side board 58.

To prevent injury to the side board 68 when the extension 66 contacts therewith the end of said extension is provided with some form of antifriction device such as the roller 69 (shown in dotted' lines in Fi 1). By means of this mechanism a l deadwood may-be removed from the alley considerably inadvance of the pin spots.

Various forms of mechanism ma be used to actuate the different devices 0 the pin setting mechanism without departing from the scope of the'invention, it being deemed sufiicient in the present application to show and describe one simple means .by which each desired result may be attained.

For instance, the gate 28 of the magazine 26 may be opened by the following means:

- This gate 28 is hinged to a shaft 70 supported in brackets 71 secured to the upper end of .the magazine 26, said gate being shaped to form one side, one end, and the bottom of the magazine.

The weight of the gate 28 retains it normally in closed position.

Pivoted at 74 to one end of the gate 28 is a lever 75 having formed therein slots, one of which has extending therethrough a projection 76 on the tripper rod 29.

Extendin through the other slot is a projection 77 ormed on a rod 78 reciprocable 5 Ln ears 79 on the gate 28 and extending lengthwise thereof.

To onejend of the rod 78.is secured a weight 78:): which retains the rod 29 in the position shown inFig. 14 with the pad 81 removed from the recess .82 in the end of gate 28.

When 'the pusher 27 is moved inwardly after ten pins have been inserted in the magazine, the pin first inserted will contact with the pad 80 and move it into the recess 81.

vAt the completion of this movement the hook 82 on rod 29 will engage the fixed hook 83 and prevent the rod moving in the opposite direction until the gate 28 is opened,'the

opening of the gate bringing the hooks 82,

83 out'of alinement' so that this return movement of said rod 29 can be effected byLthe weight 78a; acting thereon through. the rod 78 and lever 75.

When the rod 29 is moved outwardly it will move the lever 75 about its pivot 74 and force the rod 78 endwise toward the posite end of the magazine raising the weight 7841:.

This movement of the rod 78 will cause the opposite end thereof to be projected into the path of a lifting member 84 adapted to be reciprocated vertically in the bearing 85 mounted upon the framework 33.

The lower end of the lifting member 84 is articulated to an eccentric rod 86 which is actuated by an eccentric 87 on the revoluble shaft 88.

having a bifurcated upper end 95 coacting with projections 96 on the stem 97 of the pusher 27, said stem being reciprocable in a bearing 98 at one" end of magazine 26.

When the lifting member 84 is moved upwardly it will open the gate 28 of magazine 26 and at the same time move the pusher 27 outwardly.

As soon as the gate 28 is opened the hooks 82, 83 will be disengaged and the weight 78a: will return the pad 80 to the position shown in Fig. 14 and move the rod 78 out of the path of the lifting member'84.

This member 84 may then be reciprocated to actuate the pusher 27 but will not act upon the. rod 78 until the magazine is again filled and the rod 78 is again moved intothe path of the lifting member preparatory to again opening the gate 28.

The inner face of the rear wall of the magazine 26 has eleven concavities 90w formed therein to receive the pins forced into the magazine by pusher 27.. v

A weighted plate 91: with similar concavities in the face thereof rests upon the pins within the magazine and the two sets of concavities serve to keep the pins parallel and prevent the tilting thereof.

The plate 91w has arms 92m thereon hav- 1n ears at the upper ends thereof'through w ich the rod asses.

The lower end 0 shaft 15 has a ulley 93:!) secured thereto which is drivenl: a'belt 94m from a pulley 950:: secured to t e lower end of a shaft 96:22, the upper end of which has secured thereto a bevel gear 97w meshing with a bevel gear 98w secured. to and revoluble with the shaft 88.

When the shaft 960: is revolving the disk 14 will be rotated in the direction of arrow 0 on Fig. 10.

The shaft 88 rotates in bearings 99, and notonly has the eccentric 87 keyed thereto but also has keyed thereto a worm gear 100 meshing with a worm 101 on the shaft 102 of a motor 103.

To the gear 100 is pivotally connected one end of a link 104 by means of pin 105.

The opposite end of said link is articulated to a rod 106 parallel to the lunger 23 and connected thereto by the bloc 107.

The rod 106 reciprocates in hearings in the support 108 which also provides a support for the lower end of pin conduit 22.

The shaft 88 has secured to'one end thereof a pulley 109 which by means of a belt 110 rotates a Ifulley 111 on. shaft 57 for [of the alley.

pulle 114 on the driving shaft 115 of the ball e evator 20.

One end of the bar 64 has a pin 116 extending laterally therefrom into a slot formed in the end. of a bell crank lever 117 ivoted at 118 to a member 119 at the head One arm of lever 117 is in the form of a foot treadle 120 which may be depressed by the player to move the bar 64 endwisein its bearings to actuate the swinging arm 60.

The opposite end of bar 64 has a cable 121 secured thereto passing over. a pulley 122 to a counter weight 123 which retains said bar in the position indicated in Fig. 4 under normal conditions. v

This counter weight 123 will be lifted when the treadle arm 120 is depressed.

A guide rail 124'is mounted transversely of the alley onframe work 33 and on this rail is a carriage 125 having a downwardly extending arm 126 with an elongated plate 127 at the lower end, the lower edge of which is adjacent the face of the alley.

The carriage is connected b a cable 128 to a weight 129 which normal y retains the plate 127 in a recess 130 in the side wall 68.

A cable 131 extends from the other end of the carriage 125 over a ulley 132 and underpulleys 133, 134 to t e head of the alley where it passes over a pulley 135 through astop member 136 and is provided with a ring 137 by which the cable 130 may be pulled causing the plate 127 .to be'moved across the alley to remove all deadwood on the alley in front of the pin spots. The plate 127 is not used to remove all deadwood from the alley but to remove any pins which may land in front of the remainpins before a string is finished. At the head of the alley is a post 138 provided with a switch 139-which may control the operation of the motor 103 in any well known manner.

The conduit 22 is kept filled with pins at all times'so that when the lower pin'therein rests upon the latch member 25, the upper end of .the upper pin therein will be flush with the bottom wallof the chamber of magazine 26.

When the plunger 23' moves-forward and pushes another pininto the conduit, 22the upper pin will at the same time be pushed into the magazine 26, the pusher 27 at suchv time being out of the path of the incoming pin.

When the pins are new and all of the same length the conduit 22 from the latch 25 to the bottom wall of the magazine chamber may be made the exact length of the combined pins disposed end to end in said I conduit 22.

Constant use of these pins, however,

causes them to become worn and their ends must be refinished, thereb causing them to be shorter than their origmal length.

If the shorter pins were to be placed in the conduit 22 with the lower in resting on latch .25, the upper end of t e upper pin would not reach the bottom wall of the magoperate.

"l5 azme chamber and the apparatus would not Consequently, provision is made for over- 7 coming this ob ection.

. When the pins are refinished all of them must be shortened to the same degree and when the shortening operation has been completed the latch 25 must be adjusted endwise to ofiset the combined shortening of all the pins within the conduit.

To accomplish this result the latch 25 is pivoted at 140 to a slotted bar 141 adjustable endwise on a support 142 and secured in adjusted position by the clamp screws 143.

When the latch 25 is adjusted as just. described the plunger 23 must also be adjusted in the bar 107 so that at the end of its u fi ward stroke its upper end 144 will be flus with the surface 145 on the latch 25.

When the plunger has been properly adjusted in the bar 107 it is secured in th1s adusted position by the set screw 146.

By means of this construction adjustments may be made to take care ofv any shortening of the pins used on the alley.

When a pin is delivered from the chamber 16 into the conduit 22 the next forward movement of the plunger 23 will push the pin past the latch 25 which moves outwardly during the passage of said pin and 1mmed1- ately moves inwardly again as soon as the bottom of the ushed pin has passed the surface 145 there ypermitting the bottom of said pin to rest upon said surface 145. 1

In starting to play a game the switch 139 is actuated to place the motor 103 in operation.

This motor will immediately rotate the" disk 14, move the belts 53 in gutters 11, actuate the elevator 20, reciprocate the plunger 23, and impart a vertical reciprocation to the rod 84 and thereby a horizontal reciprocation of the pusher 27.

Should there be at this time anyl pins in. the pit 12 they will be removed t erefrom into the conduit 22 and delivered to magazine 26.

If there are no pins in the pit12 at this a time, the devices will continue to operate in the tubes 30 and one set in the poc ets 43 45.-

if there is mo re orless deadwood on the the weight 7 8w moving said r0 alley, the operator depresses the treadle 120 and thereby Operates the sweeper 60, 66 forcing all suchdeadwood into the pit. 12 where the ins will be carried away through the con uit 22 to the magazine 26.

When the alley is clear, the operator disen ages the lever m from the (projection 41, and the pit 12c permits the plate 36 to move downwardly.

moving said lever towar At this time there will be pins resting on the members in aninclined (position and as the plate 36 moves downwar ly they will assume a vertical position and be roperly set and then the operator moves the ever 40w toward him and engages it. withthe projection 41.

The plate 36 will at this time be elevated in the position indicated in Fig. 2 and the bowling can commence.

When the plate 36 is lowered it will never contact with the alley and mar the same as the bar 37 will come into contact with the guide members 34 and limit the downward movement of said plate 36.

No art of the various mechanisms contact with the face of the alley and therefore the alley cannot be injured thereby.

If desired the hooks 82, 83 may be dispensed with and the reciprocating rod 78 be provided with a notch 178 with which the upper end of the lifter 84. may enga e to prevent d 78 until the ate 28 has been closed and the lifter 84 isengaged from said notch 178. 'TlllS makes a very effective construction of bowling alley in which the pins may be accurately set without using pin boys.

The operation and many advanta es of the invention will be obvious without f lrther description.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim 1. A bowling alley providedwith aflpit; a revoluble disk in the bottom of the it; a pin chamber tangential to said isk adapted to receive a plurality ofpins disposed one above the other; a conduit extending from one end of said chamber; and a' reciprocating plun er for pushing the under pin from sai chamber into said conduit.

2. A bowling alley provided with a pit;

a revoluble disk in the bottom of the pit; a pin chamber tangential to said disk adapted to receive a plurality of pins disposed one abovethe other; a conduitextend- 1ng from one end of said chamber; a rerevoluble disk in the bottom of the ciprocating plun er for pushing the under pin from said 0 amber mto said. conduit;

and means for preventing the return of said pin into said c amber.

.3. A bowling alley provided with a pit; a it' a pin chamber tangential to said disk a apted to receive a plurality of pins disposed one nee s-:4

above the other; a conduit extending from one end of said chamber; a reciprocatin plunger for pushing the under pin from sai chamber into said conduit; a magazine adj acent the opposite end of said pin conduit; and means for pushing pins sidewise into said ma azine as they are delivered from said con uit.

4. A bowling alley provided with a pit;

a revoluble disk in the bottom of the pit;

a pin chamber tangential to said disk adapted to receive a plurality of pins disposed one above the other; a conduit extending from one end of said chamber; movable means for inserting the under pin in said chamber into said conduit; a magazine adjacent the op osite endof said-pin.

conduit;-mechanism or pushing pins sidewise into said magazine as they are delivered from said conduit; and means for actuating said pushing mechanism at the completion of the forward movement of said pin inserting mechanism.

5. A bowling alley provided with a pit having sides inclined downwardl and inwardly; a revoluble disk in the ottom of the pit; a pin chamber tangential to said 1, disk adapted to receive a plurality of pins disposed one above the? other; a conduit extending'from one end of said chamber; a reciprocating plunger for pushing the under pin from said chamber into said conduit; a 7

magazine adjacent the opposite end of said pin conduit; means for pushing pins sidew se mto said magazine as they arefdelivered from said conduit; and mechanism for actuating both the pushing means and said plunger and causing a forward movement of the pushing means during the return stroke of the plun e r 6. A bowling a ley rovided with a pit and 1nhaving sides inclined ownwardl wardly; a revoluble disk in the 'ottom of i i the pit; a pin chamber tangential to said (118]! adapted to receive a plurality of pins disposed one above the other; a conduit e'xtending from one end of said chamber;-

a reciprocating plun er for pushin the under pin from said chamber into said condult; a magazine adjacent the opposite end 'of said pin conduit; means for pushing pins sidewise into said magazine as'they'are delivered from said conduit; a gate at the bottom of said magazind; and means for o enin said gate and releasin' the 'pins w en t e magazine has been fillefi.

7. A bowling alley provided with a ma azine above the alley and containing a pl rality-of pins; automatic means for simultanepusly releasing the pins when the magazine is filled; a late lower than said magazine adapted to vertically raised end lowe'red; tubes to which said pins are delivered from said magazine;cylindrical pockets on said plate to receive said pins in inclined positions when released from said tubes, said pockets being open at the bottom; means pivoted to said pockets for supporting the pins in .isaid inclined positions until said plate approaches its lowest position; and means for actuating said supporting means and tilting said pins into vertical position in said pockets prior to the return of said plate to its elevated position.

ends of said tubular members and normallyinclined in position to receive the pins when released from said tubes; and means for moving said. pivoted members into vertical osition as said. plate reaches a position immediately above the alley.

9. A bowling alley provided with a magazine above the alley and containing a plurality of pins; tubes extending from said magazine, each tube being adapted to contain a plurality of pins; automatic means for releasing the pins when the magazine .is filled and simultaneously delivering them endwise to said tubes; a ate pivotally connected to the lower end 0% each tube adapted to be opened and release the-lower pin in said tube; a plate lowerv than said magazine adapted to be raised and lowered; tubular members projecting upwardly from said plate with their lower ends open and their upper ends semi-cylindrical; semi-cylindrical members pivoted to the lower ends of said tubular members and normally inclined in position to receive the pins when released from said tubes; and means for moving said pivoted members into vertical position as' said plate reaches a positionimmediately above the alley. V vI 10. A bowhng alley provided with a magazine above the alley and containing a prurality of pins; automatic means for releasingthe' pins when the magazine is filled;

tubes to Wl'llCh saidpins are delivered from said magazine; a plate lower than said magazine adapted to be raised and lowered;

tubular members projecting upwardly from said plate with their lower ends open and their upper ends semi-cylindrical; semi-cylindrical members pivoted to the lower ends of said tubular members and normally inclined in position to receive the pins when released fromsaid tubes; a spider above and movable downwardly with said plate and on portions of which said pivotedmembers rest; and'means for stopping the downward.

movement of said spider before the plate reaches its lowest position whereby the pivoted members will be moved simultaneously into vertical positions and permit the discharge of the pins from said tubular members.

11. A bowling magazine above the alley and containing a plurality of pins; automatic means r'or releasing the pins when the magazine is filled: tubes to receive the pins endwise when discharged from the magazine; a gate pivoted to the lower end' of each tube; a plate be neath said tubes adapted to be vertically raised and lowered; a plurality of pockets onsaid plate adapted to receive said pms when said gates are open and the pins released from said tubes; means actuated by said plate in its upwardmovement for opening 'said gates; and means for releasing said pins from said pockets as said plate reaches its lowest position. v

12. A bowling alley provided with a magazine abovethe alley and containing a pluality of pins; automatic means for releasing the pins when the magazine is filled; tubes to receive the pins endwise when discharged from the magazine; a gate pivoted to the lower end of each tube; a plate beneath said tubes adapted to be vertically raised and lowered; tubular members projecting upwardly from said plate with their lower ends open and their upper end semi-cylindrical; semi-cylindrical member; pivoted to the lower ends of said tubular members and nor' mally inclined in position to receive the pins whenvreleased from said tubes; and means for moving said pivoted members to tilt the pins thereon into vertical position as said plate reaches a position immediately above the alley.

13. A bowling alley provided with a pit alley provided with a at the end thereof to receive the upset pins; a

an arm pivoted at one side of the alley of a length substantially the width of said alley; means for moving said arm about its pivot 'to remove the deadwood into said pit; and

an extension to said-arm connected thereto by a spring hinge, said'spring having sufiicient tension tonormally retain said arm.

and extension in alinement.

14. A bowling alley provided with a pit at the end thereof to receive the upset pins; an arm pivoted at one side of the alley of a length' substantially the width of said alley; means for moving said arm about its pivot to remove the deadwood into said pit; and an extension to said arm connected thereto by a spring hinge, saidspring having sufliclent tension to normally retain said arm and extension in alinement,"saidextension having a roller at the outer end thereof.

' 15. A bowling alley provided with a magazine above the alley and containing a plu rality of pins; automatic means for releasing 21. In a. bowling alley provided with a 4 the pins wherf the magazine is filled; a plate lower than said magazine adapted to be vertically raised and lowered; immovable tubes to receive said pin'swhen released from the magazine; weighted gates pivoted to the lower ends of said tubes; pockets on said plate adapted to receive pins from said tubes; means for simultaneously opening all of said gates; means for retaining the pins in said pockets until said plate approaches its lowest position; and.means for actuating said retaining means and releasing said ins from said pockets prior to the return oi said plate to its elevated position.

16. A-bowling alley provided with a pit at the end thereof to receive the upset pins and having a recess in a side wall in front of'the pin spots of the alley; an elongated member normally dis osed in said recess with its lower edge ad acent the face of the alley; a horizontal guide for said member for forcing pins into said conduit.

' a revoluble dis extending transversely of the alley; means for moving said member across the alley and removing the deadwood in front of the pin spots into the alley gutters and means in said gutters for moving said deadwood into said pit. r

17. A bowlin "alley provided with a pit; a revoluble dis in the bottom of the pit; a conduit extending tangentially from said pit and adapted to receive pins therefrom; a latch adapted to. revent the return of a pin delivered to sai conduit; and a plunger 18. A bowling alley provided -witha pit; a revoluble disk in the bottom of the pit; a conduit extending tangentially from said pit and adapted to receive pins therefrom; a latch adapted to prevent the return of a indelivered to said conduit; a' plunger for orcing pins into said conduit; and means for. adjusting the. position of said latch endwise relatively to said-conduit.

alley provided with a pit;

19. A-bowhn E in the bottom of the pit;

V a conduit extending tangentially from said pit and adapted to recelve pins therefrom; a latch adapted to prevent thereturn of a in delivered to said conduit; a-plunger or forcing pins into said conduit; means for adjusting the position of said latch endwise relatively to said conduit; a reciprocating member for imparting movement to said plunger; and means for adjusting said plunger endwise relatively to said member.

20. A bowlin alley provided with a pit; a revoluble in-the bottom of said pit inclined downwardly toward the head of the alley a discharge passage for balls extending from the lower edge of said disk;

:and another passage from another part of said disk through which the pins are adapted to be discharged endwise.

zine each pm when inserted.

23. A bowling alley provided with a 1 closed pint; magazine; means. for inserting pins BIIdWISB through one end of the bottom of said magazine; means movable endwise of said magazine for pushing sidewise towards the opposite end of said magazine each ,pin when. inserted; and mechanism for actuating means and sa1d pushingmeans.

24. A bowling alley providedwith a pin magazine; a conduit extending from the bottom of one end of said magazine and adapted to-be filled with pins; means at the opposite end of said conduit for inserting another pin into said conduit and Si multaneousl discharging a pin. from the alternately said inserting opposite en of said conduit into said magazme; and means for pushin sldewise towards the opposite end of said magazine each pin when inserted into said magazine.

25. A bowling alley provided with a pin setting mechamsm, an inclined pin magazine closed except .at the bottom thereof; tubes leading from said ma azine to said pin setting mechanism; wit ends in alinement beneath the bottom of sa1d magazine; a gate pivoted to said magazine and norma y closing said bottom; means for fillinlg said magazine; and means for automatica y actuatmg said gate and simultaneously discharging a in endwise into each tube when said magazme has been filled.

26. .Abowling alley provided with a pin setting mechanism including a plate movable vertically above -the alley and having a plurality. of pin holes therein; means mounted on and movable with said plate their upperfor supporting pins; and means above said plate and movable vertically therewith operable when said plate reaches a plane adjacent the top of the alley to .release said pins from said supporting means and set them on the alley.

27. A bowling alle rovided with a pit a single revoluble in the bottom 0 said pit on which the used balls and pins are adapted to be disposed; a. downwardly 'lnchned passage through which the used balls may be discharged from said pit"; and

another passage tangential to aside wall of said pit throughwhlch the used pins may be discharged endwise.

28. A bowling alley provided with a pit having an opening in the bottom thereof; a sin le revoluble disk below said opening; an separate passages extending from said pit flush with the u per face of said disk through which the alls and pins may be discharged respectively during the rotation of said disk.

29. A bowling alley provided with a pit having an 0 ening in the bottom thereof; a single revolu le disk below said opening and inclined; a ball discharge passage from said 7 pit at the lowest part of said disk; and a smaller discharge passage from said pit at a higher level into which the pins may be discharged endwise.

.30. A bowling alle provided with a pit; a single revoluble disli in the bottom of said pit; a conduit extending tangentially from a sidewall of said pit and adapted to receive pins therefrom; a latch adapted to prevent the return, of a pin delivered to said conduit; and movable means beneath said disk for inserting pins into said conduit.

31. A bowling alley provided with a pit; a single revoluble disk in the bottom of the pit; a conduit extending tangentially from a side wall of said pit and adapted to receive pins therefrom; a latch adapted to prevent the return of pin delivered to said conduit; movable means beneath said disk for inserting pins into said conduit; means for adjusting the positionof said latch endwise relatively to said conduit; and means for adjustin the position of said movable means relatively to said conduit.

32. A bowling alley provided with an inclined pin magazine above the alley adapted to receive a required number of pins disposed side by side; a movable bottom plate to said magazine at the lower ends of said pins; means forautomatically moving said bottom plate from the path. of said pins when the magazine has been filled whereby .all of the pins in said magazine may be simultaneously discharged endwise; inclined tubes to receive said pins'when discharged from the magazine; and a vertically moving pin setting mechanism to which said plIis are adapted to be delivered from the lower ends of said tubes.

33. A bowling alley provided-with an inclined pin magazine above the alley adapted to receive a required number of pins disposed side by side; a movable bottom plate to said magazine at the lower ends of sa d ins; means for automatically. moving said bottom plate from the path of said pms when the magazine has been filled whereby all of the p ns in said magaz ne na be simultaneously discharged endwise; inc ned tubes to receive said pins whendischarged from the magazine; a single pivoted gate at the lower end of each of said tubes; a vertically moving pin setting mechanism .to. which said pins are adapted to be delivered from the lower ends of said tubes; and means movable with said pin-setting mechanism for opening all of said gates during the upward movement of said pin setting mechanism.

34. A bowlingalley provided with an inclmed pin magazine above the alley adapted to receive a required number of pins disposed side by side; a movable bottom late to said magazine at the lower ends 0 said pins; means for moving said bottom plate from the path of said pins when the magazine has been filled whereby the pins may be discharged endwise; inclined tubes to receive 7 said pins when discharged from the magazine; gates pivoted to the lower ends of said tubes; a vertically moving pin setting mechanism to which said pins are adapted to be delivered from the lower ends of said tubes; and members extending upwardly from the pin setting mechanism adapted during-the upward movement of said mechanism to engage said gates and move them about their pivots thereby permitting the discharge of a set of pins from said tubes.

35. A bowling alley provided with an inclined magazine above the alley adapted to receive a required number of pins'disposed side by side; a movable bottom plate to said magazine at the lower ends oi said pins; means for moving said bottom plate from the path of said pins when the magazinehas been filled whereb 'the ins may be discharged endwise; inc 'ned tu es to receive said pins when discharged from the magazine; a vertically moving pin setting mechanism to which said pins are adapted to be delivered from the lower ends of said-tubes including a plurality of pin pockets havin pivoted thereto inclined semi-cylindrica members to receive the pins delivered from said tubes; and means for moving said members about their pivots into vertical position during the downward movement of the pin setting mechanism.

' 36. A bowling alley provided with a vertically reciprocatin perforated plate; a tubular member in eac erforation having a semi-cylindrical upwar extension; 9. complemental semi-cylindrical member to said tubular member and adapte when closed to coact with said extension to form a complete cylinder, said pivoted member be ivoted ing inclined downwardl toward said extension; and means operab e at a predetermined plemental semi-cylindrical memberivoted to said tubular member and adapte when closed to coact with said extension to form a complete c linder, said pivoted member under norma conditions being inclined downwardly toward said extension; a spider rest- 4 ing upon: said plate and havin limited movement therewith and upon w ich "said pivoted members rest; and means for limiting the downward movement of said spider during the lowering of said plate whereby said pivoted members will be moved thereby into vertical position.

38. A bowling alley provided with a vertically reciprocating perforated plate; a tubular member in each perforation having a I semi-cylindrical upward extension; a complemental semi-cylindrical member .pivoted to said tubular member adapted when closed to coact with said extension to form a complete cylinder, said pivoted member being inclined downwardly toward said extension;

an inclined pin tube for each tubular member; a gate normall closingthe lower'endthereof; an upwardly extending finger on each pivoted member adaptedto coact with said dgate and raise the same when in the nipwar movement of said plate said pivoted member is about to be alined with said tube; and means operable at a mined time to move said pivoted member into vertical osition. I

39. A bow mg alley provided with avertically reciprocating perforated plate; a

" 40. A bowling alle tubular member in each gerforation having a semi-cylindrical upwar extension; a'complemental semi-cylindrical member pivoted predeter a required number of pins dis osed in contact with each other and side y side; a removable bottom to said magazine adapted to be automatically raised and simultaneously release thepins 'endwise'when the magazine has been fil pins the up erend's'of which tubes. are in the same p ane; and mechanism to which the .pms are delivered from said tubes adapted to movedownwardly andproperly set" them on the top of the alley.

42. A bowling alley provided with a pit having an open ng entrance thereto; mov able means below said opening for movin the balls and pins toward the wall of sai pit; a passage extendin said pit throu h which the pins may be dischar ed there rom; and a ball passage comfrom one side". of

mumcating with said pit at another side thereofand inclined downwardly therefrom towards the head of said alley.

Signed bv me at Boston, Massachusetts,

day. of December; 1928.

RAYMOND A. WILLIAMS.

this 24th to said tubular member adapted when closed to coact with said extensionto form 'a 'com-' plete c linder, said pivoted member being incline downwardly toward'said extension; an inclined pin tube for each tubular membar; a gate normally closing the lower end thereof; an upwar ly extending finger oneach pivoted member adapted to coact with said gate and raise the same when in the upward movement of said plate said pivoted member is about to be alined with said tube; a depending weifght on said gate adapted to close said gate a ter the delivery of each pin' and prevent the discharge of another pin' until the next upward 'movement of said" plate; and means operable at aprede'termined time to move said into vertical position.

provided with a pit; a sin 1e disk in the ottom of said pit incline downwardly and revoluble'about an axis midway of the width of said alley;

and an inclined 'ball chute communicating at its upper end with said it adjacent the lower edge of said disk an approximately tangential thereto.

41'. A bowling alle provided with a pin pivoted member Y magazine above the a ley adapted to receive, 

